Gideon

Chapter 24

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PURGING THE VINE

08-26-12

NOT
FRUIT, FRUIT, MORE FRUIT

(John 15:1,2) I [Jesus Christ] am the true
vine, and my Father is the husbandman [Gk: land-owner, farmer].
Every branch [person] in me that beareth not fruithe
taketh away [“and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” John
15:6]: and every branch that beareth fruit,he purgeth it
[Gk: to cleanse; to prune], that it may bring forth more fruit [and
ultimately, more love].

THE VINE

(Acts 4:31-37) And when they hadprayed,
the place was shaken where they were assembled together;
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God[which is a “tongue” 1 Cor 12:10]with boldness. And the
multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of
one soul: neither said any of them that ought [Gk: anything] of
the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common
[Gk: shared]. And with great power gave the
apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great
grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked:
for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at
the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was
surnamed Barnabas [Heb: son of Nebas (i.e. prophecy)], (which
is, being interpreted, The son of consolation [syn: encouragement],)
a Levite[Heb: attached], and of the country of Cyprus [an
island in the Mediterranean Sea], Having land, sold it, and brought
the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

PURGING
THE VINE OF A COUPLE OF ERRANT BRANCHES BEARING “NOT FRUIT”

(Acts 5:1-4) But a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back
part of the price, his wife also being privy[Gk: conscious,
know, aware of]to it, and brought a certain part, and
laid it, at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part
of the price of the land? Whiles it [the land] remained, was
it not thine own? and after it was sold [converted into money],
was it not in thine own power[to do whatsoever you will with it;
to keep all or any part of the money, and not lie to the Holy Ghost]?
why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied
unto men, but unto God [for we are “all filled with the Holy Ghost”
Acts 4:31].

2.(1 Tim 6:10) For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through[Gk: to penetrate entirely] with many
sorrows.

3.Commentary: “why hast thou conceived this thing in your
heart?” = because the love of money which is “the root of all evil” (1 Tim
6:10) had deeper stronger roots in his heart than the love of/for God. The
problem was that Ananias and Sapphria, loving money,and
seeking the praise of men, wanted others to believe that they had
sacrificed everything like Barnabas when in fact they had only given a
portion to the Lord.

(Acts 5:5-11) And Ananias hearing these words fell
down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all
them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up,
and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the
space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the
land for so much [for the same as her husband had said]? And she
said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that
ye have agreed together to tempt [Gk: test] the Spirit
of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at
the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at
his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and
found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard
these things.

1.King James bible Commentary: When Ananias learned that he had
lied unto God, he fell down, “and gave up the ghost.” Ananias was struck
dead for his sin against God, and the young men bound him in grave linen,
and carried him out, and buried him.

2.(Luke 16:20-22) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,
which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with
the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came
and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died,
and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also
died, and was buried;

3.(Prov 1:7) The fear [Heb: fear; moral reverence] of
the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and
instruction.

THE
PURGED CLEANSED VINE

(Acts 5:12-16) And by the hands of the apostles
were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all
with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join
himself to them: but the people magnified them.And
believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Insomuch that they brought forth the sickinto the streets,
and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least [of]the
shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There
came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed [Gk: mobbed,
harassed] withunclean spirits [demons, fallen angels,
devils]: and they were healed every one.

1.(Acts 5:13 Amplified Bible) And none of those who were not of their
number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them
in high regard and praised and made much of them.